Increases to statutory payments confirmed

The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2017 has been published in draft form and laid before Parliament and it confirms that:The standard weekly rates of statutory maternity pay (SMP), statutory adoption pay (SAP), statutory paternity pay (SPP) and statutory shared parental pay (ShPP) will increase from £139.58 to £140.98 from 2 April 2017.The weekly rate of statutory sick pay (SSP) will increase from £88.45 to £89.35 from 6 April 2017.In addition, the Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2017 have been published in draft form and they confirm that the earnings threshold, below which employees are not entitled to SMP, SAP, SPP, ShPP and SSP, will increase from £112.00 to £113.00 per week from 6 April 2017.